licorice

Etymology

From Middle English lycorys, from Old French licoresse, from Late Latin liquiritia, alteration of Ancient Greek γλυκύρριζα (glukúrrhiza): γλυκύς (glukús, “sweet”) + ῥίζα (rhíza, “root”) (English glucose, English rhizome). Doublet of glycyrrhiza.

noun

1. (countable) The plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, or sometimes in North America, the related American Licorice plant Glycyrrhiza lepidota.
2. (uncountable) A type of candy made from that plant's dried root or its extract.
3. (countable and uncountable) A black colour, named after the licorice.
   licorice:
4. (uncountable, chemistry) A flavouring agent made from dried root portions of the aforementioned plant.